Instructional ring tone

Abstract

The described method and system selectively provide an instructional ring tone, configurable for both message content and frequency of playback, to aid a user in answering an incoming call via a hands free telecommunications device. The instructional ring in one aspect contains a message instructing a user as to a method of answering an incoming call. This message may be set to play the first time that an incoming call is encountered, and it may be set, e.g., by a service provider advisor, to play for a certain interval, i.e., a defined number of received calls. In this manner, the initially untrained user may become trained as to proper system operation. According to another aspect, the described system and method also improve the ease of use and operation of redundant controls for HFC or hand-held cell phone operation.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of providing instruction for placing and receiving calls to a user of a mobile hands-free telecommunication device having an instructional ring tone feature including a verbal message instructing the user of the mobile hands-free telecommunication device as to a manner of answering the incoming call, the method comprising:
 detecting, by the mobile hands-free telecommunication device, an incoming call; 
 determining, by the mobile hands-free telecommunication device, that the instructional ring tone feature is enabled; 
 determining, by the mobile hands-free telecommunication device, that an instructional ring tone is to be played based on a configurable interval parameter; and 
 playing, in response to determining that the instructional ring tone feature is enabled and that the instructional ring tone is to be played, by the mobile hands-free telecommunication device, the instructional ring tone containing the verbal message instructing the user as to a manner of answering the incoming call, wherein the verbal message includes verbal instructions regarding how to use voice commands for a hands-free calling service of the mobile hands-free telecommunication device; 
 wherein in a first configuration, the interval parameter enables the instructional ring tone to be played only for a specified number of calls; and 
 wherein in a second configuration, the interval parameter enables the instructional ring tone to be played every time a call is received. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising playing a non-instructional ring tone after playing the instructional ring tone. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising playing a roaming prompt to the user of the mobile hands-free telecommunication device. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining, prior to playing the instructional ringtone, that an instructional ring tone flag is set. 
 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting that an auxiliary communications device is connected to the mobile hands-free telecommunication device; and 
 playing, in response to detecting the auxiliary communications device, a hint message in addition to playing the instructional message, the hint message being configured to provide information regarding the operation of the auxiliary communications device. 
 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the auxiliary communications device is a Bluetooth headset device. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the incoming call is designated as one of a personal call and a non-personal call, and wherein the information provided by the hint message is based at least in part on the designation of the incoming call. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the incoming call is designated as a personal call, and wherein the information provided by the hint message directs the user to answer via a headset. 
     
     
       9. A telematics unit for providing wireless telephonic communications to a user, the telematics unit including a processor for executing computer-executable instructions contained on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, wherein the computer-executable instructions comprise instructions for:
 detecting an incoming call; 
 determining that the instructional ring tone feature is enabled; 
 determining that an instructional ring tone is to be played based on a configurable interval parameter; and 
 playing, in response to determining that the instructional ring tone feature is enabled and that the instructional ring tone is to be played, the instructional ring tone containing a verbal message instructing the user as to a manner of answering the incoming call, wherein the verbal message includes verbal instructions regarding how to use voice commands for a hands-free calling service of the telematics unit; 
 wherein in a first configuration, the interval parameter enables the instructional ring tone to be played only for a specified number of calls; and 
 wherein in a second configuration, the interval parameter enables the instructional ring tone to be played every time a call is received. 
 
     
     
       10. The telematics unit according to  claim 9 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions for playing a non-instructional ring tone after playing the instructional ring tone. 
     
     
       11. The telematics unit according to  claim 9 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions for playing a roaming prompt to the user of the telematics unit. 
     
     
       12. The telematics unit according to  claim 9 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions for:
 determining, prior to playing the instructional ringtone, that an instructional ring tone flag is set. 
 
     
     
       13. The telematics unit according to  claim 9 , wherein the computer-executable instructions further comprise instructions for:
 detecting that an auxiliary communications device is connected to the telematics unit; and 
 playing, in response to detecting the auxiliary communication device, a hint message in addition to playing the instructional message, the hint message being configured to provide information regarding the operation of the auxiliary communications device. 
 
     
     
       14. The telematics unit according to  claim 13 , wherein the auxiliary communications device is a Bluetooth headset device. 
     
     
       15. The telematics unit according to  claim 13 , wherein the incoming call is designated as one of a personal call and a non-personal call, and wherein the information provided by the hint message is based at least in part on the designation of the incoming call. 
     
     
       16. The telematics unit according to  claim 15 , wherein the incoming call is designated as a personal call, and wherein the information provided by the hint message directs the user to answer via a headset. 
     
     
       17. A method of providing instruction for placing and receiving calls to a user of a mobile hands-free telecommunication device having an instructional ring tone feature including a verbal message instructing the user of the mobile hands-free telecommunication device as to a manner of answering the incoming call, the method comprising:
 detecting, by the mobile hands-free telecommunication device, an incoming call; 
 determining, by the mobile hands-free telecommunication device, that the instructional ring tone feature is enabled; 
 detecting that an auxiliary communications device is connected to the telematics unit; and 
 playing, in response to determining that the instructional ring tone feature is enabled and detecting the auxiliary communication device, (1) an instructional ring tone containing the verbal message instructing the user as to a manner of answering the incoming call, wherein the verbal message includes verbal instructions regarding how to use voice commands for a hands-free calling service of the mobile hands-free telecommunication device, and (2) a hint message, the hint message being configured to provide information regarding the operation of the auxiliary communications device; 
 wherein the method further comprises: 
 determining, prior to the playing, that the instructional ring tone is to be played based on a configurable interval parameter; 
 wherein in a first configuration, the interval parameter enables the instructional ring tone to be played only for a specified number of calls; and 
 wherein in a second configuration, the interval parameter enables the instructional ring tone to be played every time a call is received.